SOLAR WATER HEATER
Methods and systems for solar water heating are provided herein. A modular pipe system for a solar water heater is provided in one embodiment. The system includes a plurality of first manifolds which are interchangeably connectable to any other first manifold. The system also includes a plurality of second manifolds which are interchangeably connectable to any other second manifold. The system further includes a plurality of pipe panels which are interchangeably connectable to any other panel, any first manifold, and any second manifold. Connecting the first manifolds and the second manifolds end to end expands the system along a first axis, and connecting a plurality of panels expands the system along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
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The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/184,646, filed on Jun. 5, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to heating devices, and more particularly, to methods and systems for solar water heating.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solar heating systems use solar energy to heat water for a wide variety of uses, including home, business, and industrial uses. For example, individual households equipped with solar water heaters can use heated water for showering, cooking, and washing. Heated water can also be used to heat swimming pools, floors, and household spaces.
Solar heaters generally include a solar thermal collector and a fluid system to move a working fluid, such as water, from the collector to a location where the heated fluid is used. In a simple water heating system, for instance, cold water is pumped to a collector to be heated and the heated water flows back to a collection or reservoir tank for storage and later use. Collectors can consist of formed tubes or panels through which water is circulated and heated by the sun's radiation.
Government-sponsored incentives have increased the appeal of solar hot water systems, but the cost of solar water heaters remains prohibitively high for some due to manufacturing and installation costs associated with the systems. Thus, the development of simple, energy-efficient collection devices remains a significant challenge in the design of solar water heating systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe system, methods, and devices of the invention each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description” one will understand how the features of this invention provide advantages over other heaters.
A modular pipe system for a solar water heater is provided in one embodiment. The system includes a plurality of first manifolds, each first manifold having a first end fitting and a second end fitting. The first end fitting of any first manifold is interchangeably connectable to the second end fitting of any other first manifold. The system also includes a plurality of second manifolds, each second manifold having a first end fitting and a second end fitting. The first end fitting of any second manifold is interchangeably connectable to the second end fitting of any other second manifold. The system further includes a plurality of panels, each panel comprising a plurality of pipes. Each panel is interchangeably connectable to any other panel, any of the plurality of first manifolds, and any of the plurality of second manifolds. Connecting the first end fitting of any first manifold to the second end fitting of any other first manifold and connecting the first end fitting of any second manifold to the second end fitting of any other second manifold expands the system along a first axis. Connecting a plurality of panels expands the system along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
A method of making a modular pipe system for a solar water heater is provided in another embodiment. The method includes connecting multiple series of pipe panels lengthwise with respect to the pipes, each pipe panel comprising a first end and a second end, and connecting first manifolds to the first ends of the final pipe panels in each series. The method also includes connecting second manifolds to the second ends of the final pipe panels in each series; and connecting the first manifold of each series to the first manifold of another series. The method further includes connecting the second manifold of each series to the second manifold of another series.
In yet another embodiment, a solar water heater having a pipe panel comprising a plurality of pipes, a source of water to feed water to the pipe panel, and a reservoir of water to receive water heated by the pipe panel is provided. The plurality of pipes include an inner diameter between about 0.375 inches and about 0.625 inches. In still a further embodiment, the plurality of pipes include an inner diameter of about 0.622 inches. In yet a further embodiment, the plurality of pipes include an inner diameter of 0.622 inches.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this description, and the knowledge of one skilled in the art. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of summarizing the present invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such aspects, advantages, or features will be embodied in any particular embodiment of the present invention.
In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, upper, lower, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It is to be understood that embodiments presented herein are by way of example and not by way of limitation. The intent of the following detailed description, although discussing exemplary embodiments, is to be construed to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Modular ConstructionThe panel 100 is modular, such that multiple panels 100 are constructed with standardized dimensions and any one panel 100 can be interchangeably connected to any other panel 100, first manifold 200, or second manifold 300. To connect the panel 100 illustrated in
The panel 100 can be constructed of any suitable dimension. In some aspects, the panel 100 is at least approximately one foot in length and at least approximately one foot in width.
Referring again to
The first manifold 200 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6A-6B.
Thus, like the panel 100, the first manifold 200 is modular, such that multiple first manifolds 200 are constructed with standardized dimensions and any one manifold 200 can be interchangeably connected to another first manifold 200 in an end to end arrangement. To connect the manifold 200 illustrated in
Referring again to
The second manifold 300 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7A-7B.
Like the members 100, 200, the second manifold 300 is modular, such that multiple second manifolds 300 are constructed with standardized dimensions and any one manifold 300 can be interchangeably connected to another second manifold 300 in an end to end arrangement. To connect the manifold 300 illustrated in
A method of assembling the device 10 will now be described with reference to
To expand the device 10 in the y-direction, manifolds on each side are connected end to end to the desired y-dimension. Caps of suitable dimensions can cap off the open ends of the final first and second manifolds. To expand the device 10 in the x-direction, multiple panels are connected end to end until the desired x-direction dimension is attained. Manifolds 200, 300 are then connected to the unattached ends of the panels as described in greater detail above.
Optimized Pipe DiameterEmbodiments of the device 10 according to the present invention can also be used to optimize the performance and energy efficiency of solar water heaters in unexpected and surprising ways. Specifically, the inner diameter of the pipes 120 in the panels 100 may be optimized for good heating efficiency while maintaining a high level of water circulation through the device 10. Thus, in one embodiment, the device 10 includes panels 100 comprising pipes 120 whose diameter falls within a specific, optimized range of diameters. It is also advantageous when the inner diameters of the first and second manifolds 200, 300 are similarly optimized.
Advantages of an optimized diameter, or range of diameters, according to aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail. Operating efficiency of forced convection-type heaters improves when a moderate turbulence is created and the laminar central flow is minimized as water is pumped. In contrast, flow in a natural convection-type heater, which is laminar in nature, improves with smaller diameters that have less “cold core” because of temperature gradient and energy equalization. Extensive experiments have now shown that the range with good operating efficiency under both conditions is about 0.375 inches to about 0.625 inches. In one embodiment, a diameter of 0.622 inches (or alternatively about 0.622 inches) accommodates structural and tooling considerations, as well as a large volume of water through the device 10.
As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” means a range of ±1% of a given value. In one embodiment, a diameter of about 0.622 inches means a diameter of 0.622 inches plus or minus 1%. A diameter of 0.622 inches means 0.622 inches within industry accepted manufacturing tolerances for the components being manufactured.
The fins 110 and the first and second manifolds 200, 300 can be dimensioned to accommodate the optimized pipe diameters described above. The dimensions of the manifolds 200, 300 can also be selected to reduce the possibility of air clogs which, in the case of natural convection, could interfere with optimal flow.
Embodiments of the present invention include various surfaces to increase energy absorption and efficient flow. In one embodiment, the outer surface of the panels 100 is not polished to increase the effective surface exposed to solar radiation. In another embodiment, the inner surface of the panel 100 is smooth to achieve laminarity in a natural convection-type system, with little or no effect in the turbulence desired in a forced convection-type system.
Specific, optimized pipe diameters according to the present invention will now be described with reference to
Referring now to
As illustrated in
The above-described embodiments have been provided by way of example, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. Multiple variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will occur, to the extent not mutually exclusive, to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the foregoing description. Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments.
Claims
1. A modular pipe system for a solar water heater, comprising:
- a plurality of first manifolds, each first manifold having a first end fitting and a second end fitting, the first end fitting of any first manifold interchangeably connectable to the second end fitting of any other first manifold;
- a plurality of second manifolds, each second manifold having a first end fitting and a second end fitting, the first end fitting of any second manifold interchangeably connectable to the second end fitting of any other second manifold; and
- a plurality of panels, each panel comprising a plurality of pipes, each panel interchangeably connectable to any other panel, any of the plurality of first manifolds, and any of the plurality of second manifolds,
- wherein connecting the first end fitting of any first manifold to the second end fitting of any other first manifold and connecting the first end fitting of any second manifold to the second end fitting of any other second manifold expands the system along a first axis, and
- wherein connecting a plurality of panels expands the system along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pipes comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end comprises a fitting.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein an inner diameter of the fitting is slightly greater than an outer diameter of a center section of the pipe.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein an outer diameter of the fitting is slightly less than an inner diameter of a center section of the pipe.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein connecting the fittings of the pipes of any panel to the second ends of the pipes of any other panel expands the system along the second axis.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first end fitting of each first manifold is slightly less than the inner diameter of the second end fitting of each first manifold.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first end fitting of each second manifold is slightly less than the inner diameter of the second end fitting of each second manifold.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein each first manifold comprises a plurality of first connectors configured for connection to the fittings of the pipes of any of the plurality of panels.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein each second manifold comprises a plurality of second connectors configured for connection to the second ends of the pipes of any of the plurality of panels.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of panels is at least approximately one foot in length and width.
11. A method of making a modular pipe system for a solar water heater, comprising:
- connecting multiple series of pipe panels lengthwise with respect to the pipes, each pipe panel comprising a first end and a second end;
- connecting first manifolds to the first ends of the final pipe panels in each series;
- connecting second manifolds to the second ends of the final pipe panels in each series; and
- connecting the first manifold of each series to the first manifold of another series; and
- connecting the second manifold of each series to the second manifold of another series.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising placing caps on the first manifolds and the second manifolds on the final series of pipe panels.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting multiple series of pipe panels comprises coupling fittings on the first end of a pipe panel to the second end of another pipe panel.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein connecting first manifolds to the first ends of the final pipe panel in each series comprises coupling first connectors on the first manifolds to fittings on the first ends of the final pipe panels.
15. A solar water heater having a pipe panel comprising a plurality of pipes, a source of water to feed water to the pipe panel, and a reservoir of water to receive water heated by the pipe panel, the plurality of pipes comprising an inner diameter between about 0.375 inches and about 0.625 inches.
16. The solar water heater of claim 15, wherein the plurality of pipes comprise an inner diameter of about 0.622 inches.
17. The solar water heater of claim 15, wherein the plurality of pipes comprise an inner diameter of 0.622 inches.
18. The solar water heater of claim 15, wherein inner surfaces of the plurality of pipes are polished.
19. The solar water heater of claim 15, further comprising a first manifold coupled to a first end of the pipe panel, and a second manifold coupled to a second end of the pipe panel.
20. The solar water heater of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of pipe panels coupled to first and second manifolds at their respective ends, wherein coupling each first manifold to another first manifold and coupling each second manifold to another second manifold expands the solar water heater along a first axis.
21. The solar water heater of claim 20, further comprising a plurality of pipe panels, each pipe panel interchangeably connectable to any other pipe panel, wherein connecting the first end of any pipe panel to the second end of any other pipe panel expands the solar water heater along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 9, 2010
Patent Grant number: 8596260
Applicant: Formula Plastics, Inc. (Tecate, CA)
Inventor: Elias Mora (Chula Vista, CA)
Application Number: 12/793,562
International Classification: F24J 2/24 (20060101); B21D 53/06 (20060101);